OCTOBER
Credential Interviews.......................................... October 1
Light For the Lost (Sec. 3).................................. October 3
Light For the Lost (Sec. 7).................................. October 4
Light For the Lost (Sec. 12)............................... October 10
Light For the Lost (Sec. 11)............................... October 11
Light For the Lost (Sec. 1).................................. October 13
Light For the Lost Spanish Service............... October 14
Light For the Lost (Sec. 9N).............................. October 17
Light For the Lost (Sec. 9S)............................... October 18
Convergence (Youth Convention)................. October 21-22
Light For the Lost (Sec. 6).................................. October 24
The Main Event: Men’s Conference.............. October 28-29

November
Reach the World Auction..................................... November 1
Light For the Lost (Sec. 4).................................... November 3
Women’s Prayer Encounter................................. November 4-5
Credential Presentations – Eastern Zone.... November 5
Light For the Lost (Sec. 8).................................... November 7
Light For the Lost (Sec. 2).................................... November 10
Youth Pastors Retreat............................................. November 10-12
Light For the Lost (Sec. 5W)................................ November 14
Light For the Lost (Sec. 5E).................................. November 15
P B & J Retreat (Children’s Ministries)........... November 25-27

December
Royal Ranger Winter Trace.................................. December 2-4
Spanish School of Ministry................................. December 10
OYM Student Leadership Retreat.................... December 27-30

Healthy Church Network
Life provides an abundant array of illustrations! In the words of

Therefore, we have

Mickey Mantle, “If I had known I was going to live this

reserved November 11

long, I would have taken better care of myself.” Have

and 12 for a Discovery

I ever found that to be true in my life!

Weekend. This event is
free and made possible

With increasing age, the more rigid and inflexible my joints

by your Oklahoma AG

respond to my mind. The routine of life becomes established;

Ministries. In our desire

change and “new” things become intimidating.

to reach as many as
possible, simultaneous

The parallel applies to the local church. The older and

meetings are scheduled

established church body requires a longer transition period

in Lawton, Muskogee,

when facing the future. Regretfully, a history of greatness offers

and Oklahoma City.

increased resentment to the inevitable demand for change. Yet,
the only thing certain in life is change!

Pastor, you cannot take the journey alone! Your leadership must
buy-in or frustration will be the result! Share this opportunity

We have chosen to partner with our local churches and pastors

with your board and significant leaders. Do not attempt the trip

who are interested in becoming the church that God intends for

alone. Do not attempt the trip with only those who think

this hour. Yesterdays victories will not conquer the challenges of

out-of-the-box. Present leadership must participate and buy-in

tomorrow! We will change! The only real question is, “How will

if success results.

we manage change?”
Register for Discovery Weekend today. Make it a priority on your
The Healthy Church Network – HCN - offers a step-by-step

calendar. At the close of the Friday and Saturday sessions, you

approach that I would like to make available to EVERY

will be given the opportunity to join a transformational journey

OKLAHOMA CHURCH. During the coming year, every church that

that will be one year in length and that will require a

is willing to seriously consider the future will be able to
participate in an amazing journey of transformation; however,

commitment from you and from your church.

letters, brochures, and promotion fail to adequately explain the
process. It requires a personal experience!

For questions or additional information, contact Lindell Warren
and Oklahoma Mission Ministries – 405.475.1100. Reserve your
place at the table!
(Only those who participate in the Discovery Weekend will be
able to take the trip. Sorry, no exceptions are possible.)

FRANK CARGILL //
District Superintendent
frank.cargill@okag.org

Reducing the Risk of Fraud
Over the summer, I had the opportunity to sit in
a seminar conducted by Verne Hargrave, author
of “Weeds in the Garden; The Growing Danger of
Fraud Taking Root in the Church.” Verne brought
tremendous insight from his decades-long career as a
Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Fraud Examiner.
Beyond offering a recommendation for his book, this article
will provide, in broad strokes, some key insight into
mitigating the opportunity for fraud occurring within your

Hargrave provides ten action steps church leadership could
make to better protect the church’s assets, and ultimately its
reputation.

3. Keep up-to-date with the exponential change in
information technology.

It is unfortunate to think that fraud would ever take place

4. Insist on complete and timely financial reports.

within a local church, but according to many experts, it
occurs all of the time. In fact, churches make for lucrative
targets. According to Hargrave, “in many churches there is
a resistance to put fraud prevention steps in place because
any attempt to do so is an indication that current employees
and volunteers are crooks.” This simply could not be further
from the truth, and this mindset makes the church a prime
target for fraud.
Poor internal controls and loose management structures
do a disservice not only to the church body, but also to
those charged with handling financial matters. According
to Hargrave three ingredients are necessary for fraud to
occur. Those ingredients are pressure, rationalization, and
opportunity. Church leadership cannot do much by way of
lessening the pressure and rationalization which may occur

5. Ensure the church is in compliance with IRS rules
and regulations.
6. Extend strong cash collection processes
throughout the church.
7. Implement a strong bill approval and payment
system.
8. Provide adequate controls over personnel
procedures.
9. Maintain controls over property and equipment.
10. Perform a periodic fraud risk assessment.
In the end, fraud prevention is not about mistrust, but
stewardship.

in the lives and minds of its employees or volunteers.
Limiting opportunity, however, is well within the scope of
possibility. The intent of establishing effective internal
controls is not to impede church leadership’s ability to make
necessary purchases or financial decisions it believes would
benefit the overall ministry of the church. It does however
provide an accountability structure ensuring that church
resources are used to further the church’s overall ministry

Finding Receptivity or Going to the Most
Receptive People Groups
I learned something recently. John 4:35 cannot be
applied universally. We have often preached it that way yet,

the idea. So, the transition took place for Mark and Nancy to

on further study we find that Jesus was talking about the

the right moment in time to bring in the harvest of our Spanish

Samaritans. Jesus said, “Do you not say, ‘Four months more

brothers and sisters.

move from AGWM to U.S. Missions. This strategic move captured

and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at
the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” Jesus did not refer to all

From my perspective other ethnic groups here in Oklahoma show

people; rather, he meant the receptive Samaritan people. In verse

signs of receptivity. It seems when people are in transition their

39 the Gospel writer said, “Many of the Samaritans from that

openness to the Gospel becomes more pronounced. Take for

town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony…” Then

instance some Asian and oceanic groups. Also, we see Middle

in verse 41, John records, “And because of his words many more

Eastern people getting a clearer witness for Jesus Christ.

became believers.”
The Cowboy Church Movement is not a “flash in the pan” but a
As Jesus was speaking, the Samaritans were leaving the town and

genuine cultural phenomenon. I believe there exists a Samaritan

coming across the fields toward him (v. 30). The Nineteenth

type harvest in the sub-culture of cowboys. We need more of

Century Bible Scholar Adam Clarke states, “…the seed of life

these types of churches to bring in a ready harvest.

which Jesus had sown but a few hours ago had already brought
forth much fruit; therefore he says, ‘Lift up your eyes, and look on

The missiologists teach when we find receptivity we go there.

the fields; over which it is likely the Samaritans were then coming

We go there to win the lost and to conserve the harvest through

in troops, guided by the woman who had already received the

church planting and discipleship. Yes, the Lord of the harvest has

light of the Gospel of peace.”

set before us an effective and open door. Let us walk through the
door, prepared to harvest and disciple the people.

In the strategy of the Spirit there will be time given for all people
groups to be receptive to the Gospel. At certain times and places
there exists little time between sowing and reaping, as was the
case with Jesus at Sychar of Samaria. We don’t always
understand why the wind of the Spirit blows a certain way, but we
must respond by rushing in where the Spirit is stirring.
A good example is the fall of the “Iron Curtain” in Eastern Europe
20 years ago. Assemblies of God World Missions rushed in with

Muskogee, First Assembly of God
Lawton, First Assembly of God
Oklahoma City, Highpointe Church

personnel and resources to begin the harvest. Obviously, a lot of
sowing and reaping happened simultaneously.
Here in Oklahoma we see a great harvest taking place among the
Spanish speaking people. The time is right. The wind is blowing.
If we seize the opportunity before us now, thousands of Hispanic
people will be ushered into the Kingdom of God.
I well remember talking to missionary Mark Fitzgerald four years
ago about transferring to U.S. Missions, allowing him to work full

Personal Note
Phyllis and I wish to thank our Oklahoma
ministerial family for all the prayers and kind
gestures on the passing of our Mom, Alton Cossey,on
August 20. Phyllis’ mom had faithfully served the
Lord the past 45 years of her life. She now rests from
her labors and awaits our arrivals. Phyllis’ Dad,
Clyde Cossey, continues to live in Anadarko.